Foundation Broken Hill doubled the amount of funding for the Skillshare Training Program and have allocated a record number of grants for this year, with 10 people across a mix of trade apprenticeships, health and teaching studies ultimately awarded a $1000 grant each out of the $10,000 available.
Foundation Broken Hill expanded its promotion of Skillshare this year to attract people interested in upskilling or qualifying in a trade, rather than only those undertaking tertiary studies.
A field of 16 applicants were reviewed by a selection panel including Foundation CEO Travis Nadge, Deputy Chair, Chris Dougherty, and Director Lindy Molesworth.
Ms Molesworth said the breadth of applicants aged between 16 to 36, was exactly what the Foundation was looking for.
“With a targeted publicity strategy for this year’s Skillshare Grants we succeeded in attracting applicants undertaking qualifications in a broad range of careers including health, teaching and various trades,” she said.
“By providing financial assistance to the successful applicants the Foundation aims to help build a skilled local workforce which meets the diverse needs of the Broken Hill region now and into the future. The need for diversity is to help Broken Hill have the skills and knowledge needed to be sustainable and ready for new opportunities.”
The grants can be spent on requirements including course fees, equipment, travel expenses, textbooks – anything that will help someone to achieve their qualification.
The Skillshare Training Grant was established in 2013 using income generated from funds endowed to the Foundation when Skillshare closed in 2012. By 2017 it was expanded to include support for financially disadvantaged school leavers seeking tertiary education, as well as the initial concept of assisting local jobseekers or casual workers to develop new skills and qualifications to break into different career paths.
To date almost $60,000 has been awarded through the program.
For further information contact Travis Nadge, Foundation CEO on 8087 9985.
